The Oyster Shack in South Hams

All you can ask for, great ingredients, perfectly cooked in a relaxing atmosphere

Don’t be fooled by the appearance of this super place. Tucked away on a little road that floods at high tide is one super seafood experience. Lovely friendly service. The fires were lit and the decor is great. Good wine list, knowledgeable staff. We will return. The best and biggest crab I have ever had !!

Loved this place tucked away near Bigbury. In winter visit we had super cosy fires, unusual but great decor, great service and fab food. Whole crab to die for. Would thoroughly recommend and will visit in the summer when we are sure the vibe is different.

Absolutely excellent service, food was fantastic, highly recommended If your lucky enough to get in when they have the marmalade pudding ☺️ order it, it’s amazing

A most wonderful lunch in this quirky location with exceptional food and service. The Hake with Pistacchio Crumb and miso was a highlight as was orange marmalade pudding and honeycomb ice cream V.Dog friendly

Good quality food and wines. Quite a few things were off the menu only downside.

From the outside it looks like a shack but don’t be fooled. Inside the decor is fantastic. A very up market shack!!! The food is fantastic and a great range of drinks including their own gin, two varieties. A small but very well thought out wine list. The service was excellent and presentation of the dishes was good and well executed. It is recommended to book in advance as it can get very busy which is very understandable. Also check tide times as road does get flooded at high tide!!

Really lovely food in a relaxed, friendly environment. The crab was the freshest I’ve ever had. Will definitely visit again.

Three simple words: just go there. We had a fantastic lunch, paired with fantastic drinks in a great location. Can recommend and would definitely go again. Would note the tidal road is only accessible via low tide, which we were not aware of!

Delightful rustic part indoor/tented "outdoor." Maritime themed. Superb sea bass, catch of the day, currently half price under September special offer. Fresh flowers on the tables. Doggy friendly. All good. 🇬🇧🇳🇿

This tucked out the way place is a must if you like sea food. Excellent choice of food tasting great coupled with original place and friendly staff.

Loved eating here. Great venue, fabulous staff, really good food and wine, it isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for. Would go back.

Always great food. Service always fast and friendly. Specials always varied.

If you are seafood lover, then The Oyster Shack is the restaurant for you. Great food and atmosphere. I’m looking forward to having meal in this restaurant again!

Our group of 6 people turned up for our reservation, only to find out that I had messed up and booked the table for the previous day! Oops! The staff were incredibly kind and reassured us that even though the restaurant was very busy they would be able to squeeze us in. The food was all brilliant! The oysters with the different toppings were, of course, amazing. Very fresh and meaty and well paired with a variety of sauces. My favourites being the soy, cucumber,spring onion and the fennel and yuzu. All 6 of us opted for catch of the day, choosing between the bream and the sea bass - both were cooked perfectly and accompanied by a beautiful romesco sauce. As for desserts, out of pure curiosity I went with the Citrus Pearl dessert oyster and was pleasantly surprised, although I would probably go for something different next time. The others had the churros and an affogato, which were demolished quickly and with plenty of happy noises. Would definitely come back again, a great dining experience with lovely staff and a great ambiance.

A very enjoyable lunch with my wife. We shared the mixed platter (generous for 2) and then we had grilled whole sea bream, sea bass fillets, chips, a glass of wine, a bottle of beer and 2 coffees = £99 ex service. All the food was tasty and well presented. Staff were professional but friendly (not the ‘Alright, mate?’ man who used to be there) and very attentive. Overhead heaters were very effective on a wet and miserable day.

Great food and such friendly staff. A cozy place to get out of the rain and enjoy truly delicious food.

I love this place so much. Food is always fresh and amazing, great vibe, and the service is prompt and friendly - I think we were served by Ali and he made us feel very at home.

Lovely place, we were well taken care of by Ali and the team. We will return!

Amazing spot, food and service. Ali made us feel so welcome and knew his stuff. Thanks!

A great little spot that made our entire family feel welcome. Ali was an absolute hero in sorting out everything for a wonderful meal. We will definitely be back!

Wow what a place!! The food was unbelievable and the service from Ali was so attentive and friendly. I loved the range of oysters and the specials for the day too. Everything was so fresh and tasty. Will be back soon!

Went out for a meal two nights ago and we had been recommended this place by a friend so we went in with high expectations, and wow, they definitely delivered. Phenomenal food (I had the muscle dish and I highly recommend it) and outstanding service, our table was served by a combination of two lovely staff members named Ed and Hannah who both had great people skills and so much knowledge of the menu and the place they work. It was so lovely to be served by people who truly love there job and the area, one of our new favourite spots!

So I've always been a bit reticent of seafood restaurants with my family as my young kids can be quite fussy, but we had such a great experience at The Oyster Shack that I now have the whole family begging me to go again. Big shout to Ali who helped both my kids dive into some amazing culinary treats that I never, ever would have been able to persuade them to try at home let alone love ❤️

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Oyster Shack in Bigbury, South Devon, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience! The food was simply excellent—every seafood dish we tried was fresh and full of flavor. But what really made the evening stand out was the exceptional service, particularly from one staff member, Ali Kember. Ali, who I believe is the staff manager, was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout the night. His vibrant Hawaiian-style shirt and party vibes added a unique touch to the atmosphere. He really went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic time. Honestly, if they could make clones of Ali and have more of him around, this place would be even more incredible! While the rest of the staff were great too, Ali's energy and enthusiasm were truly the highlights of our visit. As a side note, I’d highly recommend checking the tide before heading to The Oyster Shack. Avoid risking the tidal road, even if it looks shallow— ARRR... There be monsters lurking in the shallows! 😉 Overall, it was a 5 out of 5 experience, and I can’t wait to return. If you're in the area, this place is a must-visit!

Wonderful time at oyster shack. Delicious food and lovely staff. Ali was absolutely wonderful, thanks for a fantastic evening!! We will definitely go back!

Love this not so secret secret fish spot, I got made to feel like Namor king of the sea, as I was served sacrificial fish offerings. Was stunning, can’t wait to find my self back in that part of the world. Props to my waiter Ali, for making me feel so at home.

Ali was brilliant, relaxed and ensured we had a great evening.

Brilliant place. Fab food. Excellent service from Ali.

Ali was pretty great. But the food was bloody amazing!

Thanks so much for a great evening, the food was amazing and Ali was so welcoming, knowledgeable, and had great recommendations.

As a carpenter, I appreciate craftsmanship in all forms, and my recent visit to The Oyster Shack in Bigbury, South Devon, was nothing short of a masterclass in hospitality. Just like a well-joined dovetail, everything fit perfectly. The food was as finely finished as a hand-planed surface—smooth, fresh, and absolutely on point. We sampled a variety of seafood, each dish meticulously crafted with the kind of precision that only comes from years of honing one’s skills. But the real centerpiece, the keystone that held the whole evening together, was the man of the hour, Ali Kember. Picture this: a staff manager decked out in a loud Hawaiian-style shirt, bringing the party vibes like he’s just added a new groove to a worn-out tool. Ali’s friendly demeanor and helpfulness were like the perfect grain pattern in a prized piece of wood—natural, unique, and impossible to replicate. If only there were more of him; the place could really use a few clones of Ali to spread that same energy throughout. The rest of the crew were as solid as a well-braced frame, ensuring everything ran smoothly, but Ali was the standout—like finding a rare burl in a slab of oak. One word of advice, though: before you set out, make sure to check the tide. The tidal road may look passable, but it’s as deceptive as a knot in the wood—there could be hidden hazards lurking beneath. All in all, The Oyster Shack nailed it. A 5 out of 5 experience that I’ll be telling the lads back at the workshop about. If you’re in the area, don’t miss out on this finely crafted gem.

Such lovely food and service every time we visit. I love the specials that change each time we go! Ali is a fabulous host and always so accommodating. Get the oysters you won’t regret it!

We haven't been to The Oyster Shack for years, but we were delighted to find that our favourite restaurant is as wonderful as ever! Amazing service, great food - loved the dressed crab and various starters - and an ambiance that makes you feel like you could be anywhere in the world. Please don't change........ ever!

Great food and friendly service. Enjoyed catch of the day fish and great churros.

Everything from the food to the ceramics it’s served on is great here! Loved the cocktails (and glasses they came in!). We had catch of the day - best sea bream we’ve ever had - and kids had the kids meal version (a fillet of grilled sea bream) - brilliant choice for kids, they loved it. Really good value. Totally worth a visit.

The Oyster Shack was amazing. We went every other night because the food was so fresh and the service was great. We only booked for a birthday treat but we could resist going back.

Despite all the rave 5 star reviews my experience was different. Yes, it is a sea food restaurant but when asked our server I our party had an allergies a ‘yes’ to shell fish was met with ‘this is a sea food restaurant ‘ and no empathy. When my expensive burger arrived I found the meat patties absolutely solid and akin to leather. When this was brought to the attention of our server this fact did not seem to register nor did the bill reflect the issue other than being charged in full. Overall a much over rated experience and a place to be avoided. OK if you want to eat in a draughty shack and be served overprice food. May be that is what the ‘South Hams’ set like.

Tasty fresh fish, amazing churros, brilliant outdoor location and very friendly service. A must-visit, the Oyster Shack is only a short drive from Salcombe and Bigbury

The most delightful UK seafood experience one could ever stumble upon. Exceptional food, service and atmosphere! full of charm and culinary experience.

Sea bream off the BBQ was superb. Great atmosphere. Prompt service.

Supper place to eat, good size dishes well worth the money …

Very tasty food... Except for the oysters which gave all those who ate them at our table food poisoning

Oysters Oysters in a shack Lobsters Crabs Crabs all dressed to party ...and the gin

Great food always welcome to go back

Out of this world… The food is delicious. The decor is really inviting and lots to look at. Lots of parking. Based at the top of the tidal road near Aveton Gifford. Quite expensive but the quality and locally sourced fish is amazing and even the decoration of the plate is next to none. This a place not to be missed. Mainly serves for lunch as it is not open in the evening. Would recommend this for a party of people. Fond memories of this place. The staff are all very professional and have good attention to detail. The atmosphere is vibrant and being secluded adds to the experience. It has a journey feel to the place. Close to Bigbury.

Saw the sign and thought we would pay a visit on our way to Burgh Island, we took a punt. What can I say. They where busy and they squeezed us in. Great atmosphere, super cool quirky place. I opted for the mussels and they where superd. We all had a very agreable meal. Highly recommend this place. Thanks 🙏 we enjoyed our meal on our 25th wedding anniversary.

Love the vibe of this place , such a hidden gem, Best sea bass ive had ! This place is not cheap BUT is worth every penny Staff were amazing, atentative, and considerate to those visiting with their 4 legged children, making sure every table was brought water for them upon arrival, and did not need to be asked . There is also the option for a dogs dinner ,which is a nice touch

Given the plentiful brown crab catch that is landed in S Devon, it is unclear why it costs £33.00 to eat a small dressed crab with a slice of bread and butter and some plain leaves on the side, in a lean-to, in a rural Devon field. This was one of the blandest meals I've ever eaten (no seasoning), and required almost no effort from the kitchen - apart from dressing the crab - which holds the record as being the most expensive crab I've ever purchased.

Awesome spot- would highly recommend and will be coming again.

A Gem of a place serving great food

The dressed crab was out of this world

One of the best lobster I have in England. The location is in the middle of the mountain, quiet but busy. I recommend reserve, it is as good I book again to return in two days. Oysters are great and Crab are also great. Good food, great value.

OH. MY. GOD. This place is INCREDIBLE - so much so I almost want to give a bad review so people don’t find out about it! :) The space is amazing, with really interesting decor that feels super chilled. The musics brilliant and the staff are so friendly and go above and beyond. I treated myself to lobster - died and went to heaven - and then had a delicious desert. All in all - this is my new favourite spot and I want to live here. Mic drop.

Lovely atmosphere, great service, in a lovely rural spot. Has the feel of a Greek Taverna, which is really pleasant. The menu is good, and the selection of local beers, ciders and gins is extensive. We had the share nibbles platter, the dressed crab and the vegan burger with sides of fries and slaw. The vegan burger was really good. The bread bun was fresh as were the ample portions of salad leaves on the side. Couple of things we noticed that could have been better. The dressed crab was TINY and served with bread, which was lovely and fresh, and another pile of salad leaves. The butter patties were rock hard, more like wedges of cheddar cheese and totally unspreadable despite the warm evening. They brought more which had been microwaved, but it wasn’t much better, so we ate dry bread. Shame, as this is such a small detail but one of my personal pet hates. Butter should be spreadable. The slaw was fresh but lacked depth of flavour from the dressing. The crab was £33 which we felt was rather pricy for such a tiny amount, some salad leaves, bread and butter you can’t spread. The crab is pre picked but there was shell in the meat, which was a bit off putting. Overall a lovely place, but we probably won’t come back, sadly.

Staying at Burgh Island, arrived early & found the Oyster Shack on our travels.. so glad we did , Oysters , Crab Croquettes so delicious, tender lamb salad, pleasant glass of chilled wine & Dog Friendly, staff were super too . Quirky decor , fresh fish ,left very happy.

Being a local, we've enjoyed this little gem a number of times over the years, including during the winter months. The choice of fresh seafood was great, particularly the whole crab. Cracking open the claws was messy, but that was the point of it; finger licking good. But today nope. For some reason, the Oyster Shack has decided their customers prefer dressed crab. With not a lot of fresh seafood on the menu, my daughter and I ordered dressed crab at £33 each assuming, at that eye watering price, they would come with the claws. We were left disappointed when a mountain of green leaves appeared on a wooden platter with two chunks of bread and a sad, lonely, and not very big dressed crab. We'll be giving this venue a miss until they return to serving fresh whole crabs.

Fabulous. Food and service excellent. Great choice, good wine selection, very unusual place, well worth a visit. Recommend the sea bass!

Great no frills, seaside shack atmosphere. Food was dissapointing however and poor value for what we had. Dressed crab, served with a few green leaves passing as a salad with some bread and butter £33 . A small serving of fries extra £4.90 . I can buy fresh dressed crab at home from my local fishmonger for under £7. Asked for some mayo and we were given a tiny portion to share between two. Declined a dessert as I'm not going to pay £8,50 for an ice cream.

Just stopped for a snack. Everything was lovely

Inconspicuous but worth winkling out. Great little spot for seafood. Interesting approach from the east along the creek, and then, in the middle of nowhere, this place appears. Has a Mediterranean air and focus is on the food and company in a deliberately colourful yet basic setting.

Just started on summer opening, so quite quiet. Great food as always and friendly staff. Check the tides before you go!

Wow!! We dined at some of the best restaurants in the area during our 9 day stay & the Oyster Shack topped all of them. Our waiter was amazing, super friendly and attentive! The food was incredible!! And a lovely setting, we can’t wait to return!

Exceptional service from both ladies. Food was beautiful, and the shack itself is very usual and a great experience. Loved it, and will definitely return!

Fantastic place to go, couldnt recommend more. The service and staff are 10/10 and the food was amazing. If you’re in the area, this place is a must!!

Very friendly staff! Great service. Dog friendly.. dog supper is on the menu.

Coming to the Oyster Shack is always such a treat. We came for birthday dinner, and had mouth-wateringly fresh oysters, and a very fine sea bass with a wild garlic salsa verde, all washed down with a nice chilled glass of Picpul. Super fast and friendly service. Perfect!

Cute venue, a little quiet on the Monday night but service from our young male waiter was exceptional and there were gluten free options and excellent wine choices.

The Oyster Shack in Devon is a must-visit for my annual bank holiday trip. With our largest group yet, 13 of us were expertly accommodated. The food was delicious, beautifully presented, and the staff were incredibly welcoming, even giving us a peek at the lobster sizes. Plus, they offer local beer, rosé, and cocktails. A gem of a spot!

Very nice sea food restaurant. We book in advance and we really enjoy the oyster, crab and lobster. It was really succulent and tasty. We recommend to book in advance. For sea food lover is really a place to go.

Great little place , atmosphere welcoming , staff attentive , the prawn tacos, scallops were out of this world. The fish of the day mains were cooked to perfection. Defo coming back!

The Spidercrab & Saffron Croquettes are to die for and the Dressed Crab was heavenly. Not too badly priced for a seafood restaurant either (a lot less expensive than our local one). Will we return next time we're here? I'd say definitely!

A fun, relaxed place to enjoy sea food. Menu is dependent on the catch of the day which is exciting. Cooked on the BBQ in the summer. Ordered lobster so a bit pricier than other options but was delicious

A lovely meal in a very relaxed atmosphere. We had oysters and the catch of the day, gurnard. Really delicious food and truly dog friendly. Chatty and friendly waiting staff. Free bottle of picpoul as per the Facebook offer! What more could you want?

Amazing as ever. Thank you so much

Beyond satisfied!!! Unbelievable food and even better service from our waiter. He was really friendly and went above and beyond for us as my wife has a nut allergy and made extra effort to ensure our food was perfect. Now the food, wow, anything and everything and I especially lived the oysters. 10/10

Awesome fun, fresh produce, local happy atmosphere - the fish curry is amazing and new to the menu. Definitely a keeper! Thanks guys!

Excellent evening out. Great venue, great service, great atmosphere and most importantly great food. Deffo be back soon.

Amazing food, great service and atmosphere. We'll definitely return as there's so much more we'd love to try on the menu!

Had the sole with chive and caper sauce one of the best fish I’ve ever had, loved it!

First discovered this place by accident last year and wanted to return, as we enjoyed such a great meal then and wasn't disappointed. My husband chose the catch of the day, with my son having the kids version. I decided to have 2 starters, the tacos & spider crab croquettes along with an oyster, with the truffle & hazelnut dressing, which was absolutely delicious. Would advise you book a table, although we were lucky and there was a table free but we visited early in the evening. There are good looking veggie options. Looking forward to our next visit.

I know it seems excessive to give 5 stars but I cannot fault our experience. We went for a cooking demonstration followed by lunch yesterday. The chef who took the demonstration was obviously passionate about ensuring ethical standards of treatment for the crabs in the preparation of food. It makes a real difference to know how much respect is given to where produce comes from and how it is used. After the demonstration, which was both very informative and fun too, we had lunch. All the staff we met were friendly and thoughtful and the food we had was delicious. Thank you to all involved in creating such an enjoyable treat for us. We’ll be back again!

Great place to go for dinner if in the area. Authentically themed building with very pleasant and friendly staff. Great food and drink options and there are alternative options for those not wanting fish also.

Great, fresh seafood in a really fun, totally unpretentious setting. The kids loved the pirate gear in the dressing up box and we thought the food was delicious.

This is a little gem! Really kitschy but in the best fun way. Food was simple but perfectly done. We had a tasting of oysters to start with six different flavours, scallops with sweet potato. And mussels for main course. The kids meal was also a beautiful piece of fish rather than the usual deep fried fare kids normally get. With three drinks and service it came to just over £100

Such a fantastic and special place, really attentive staff, the atmosphere is always lovely and the food is spectacular! The fish is always so wonderfully cooked and the oysters are the best my partner and I have tried!

Just had a meal here, starters ok…special meal so had the lobster… very disappointed… very chewy and over cooked… at £58 it should at least be cooked well…. So disappointed as heard some good reviews for the oyster shack… the food was not great 😌

The best oysters we have ever tasted, delicious toppings. We also had delicious scallops, mackerel, mussels and beef cheek, finished with ginger ice cream. Their own gin is lovely and we took a bottle home. Great wine and cider also. The service is fantastic friendly helpful staff. We love the decor and atmosphere. Highly recommend, this is our 2nd visit and we can’t wait to return.

Absolutely delightful! Quickly, a note on how to get there- sat nav wants to send you across the tidal road- be careful and very much consider taking the route through St Ann instead. Salty water plus car = not great! But the other route is fine! Staff were lovely and friendly and professional. We were there for the last booking on a Sunday in winter (January). We could see the chefs preparing the food, and we could observe how carefully and with attention to detail they prepared it. Always an excellent sign! We had 6 oysters- 3 with the hot toppings (which got the thumbs up from my partner) and I had 3 with the cold toppings. The oysters were meaty and delicious. The scallops on pumpkin purée came with a small salad which was subtly and deliciously dressed. The scallops with the pumpkin purée flavours were amazing. For mains we had the fish special- a Coley in teriyaki which came with lovely vegetables. I had the hot and sour soup with soba noodles, bok choi, various other veg and it came with lovely chicken and delicious prawns. I am a (self appointed) soup aficionado and particularly love Tom Yum, so for me it was delightful and extremely tasty and satisfying. A note on thé menu (from asking the lovely waiters) - the mènu does change but staples stay the same. In the warmer months apparently they focus on more bbq fish menus. We had a lovely time and I would highly recommend The Oyster Shack. It is also very well priced and excellent value for very good produce. Edited to add re a previous review by someone: I found the toilets to be very clean and the same for the restaurant.

If fish is your thing, this is the place to eat. Fresh fish and seafood cooked to perfection. Good wine list, excellent unobtrusive service. I have eaten there a few times and never been disappointed. The newish layout also is an improvement and works well. Prices are not exorbitant

Stopped here by chance for lunch. Amazing food, really great. Service to match.

Food was rather disappointing. The oysters with teriyaki sauce was the high point. All 3 of us that went there thought the same.

Such a unique experience. It felt like I was in my own village back in the south east Asia in a thatched hut with fishermen around. Food was lovely too. We will definitely come back again.

Great buffet and the team at the Oyster Shack were brilliant Amazing value!!

What a great place. Even the drive in was spectacular. Service was top notch and the food was even better. The fish and mussels were so fresh and tasty. You can tell that the owners, chef's and staff take pride in what they do. We went on Sunday and my only complaint is they were shut on Monday so we couldn't return the next day! 10/10

Superb spot for lunch or dinner, food was absolutely delicious

We had the Seafood Buffet, it was fantastic! Great quality food and fantastic value for money. Definitely be back in the future if we’re in the area

The cleanliness let's this place down. It's like the toilet cubicles have never been cleaned, taps don't work properly, cobwebs all over the inside of the loo. Dirty floor and walls. Dusty. The staff use the same loos, and there didn't seem to be any hot water which is worrying. The food was tasty, but is on the pricey side. Waiters and waitresses were nice and accommodating.

Will certainly revisit and have no hesitation recommending. We visited in October with 2 teenage kids, 2 adults and a dog. The kids had pasta (shame) and it was surprisingly good. The Thai monkfish was excellent (one bit of monkfish short of perfect. The whole fresh crab was fantastic- just note you are in for the long haul. Even the dogs fish dish looked great.

Delicious meal in friendly surroundings Had, Oysters to start, catch of the day Plaice, Bream and Monkfish tail. Great sauces and desserts. Highly recommended.